"Little Duo, you hurt me so. I feel so useless. I can't do anything right. I'm a burden to the family. Could it be you want to 'dismiss' me?" he said dramatically.

Damn!

Liu Duo could feel her hair standing on end just listening to him. What sort of freaky skill was this? 'Dismiss?' As if that was going to happen!

She slapped the hands linking her arm and rolled her eyes at him. "No means no!"

It would be terrible if she really agreed to take a bath with him. Ye Mo would definitely want his turn.

These two were like two peas in a pod!

Liu Ran finished his bath and called out to Liu Duo when he got out of the bathroom, "Sis, I'm done."

He walked towards them holding an oil lamp.

Liu Ran's cheeks had regained their rosiness after a good bath. Liu Duo could not resist giving them a light pinch. "Alright, you get upstairs now. Don't catch a cold in this weather."

It was windy with a significant drop in temperature.

Liu Ran nodded obediently, said goodnight, and left for the second floor.

Ye Mo yelled from the kitchen, where he was heating water, "Wife, it's your turn now. The water's ready."

He got his hands on an empty bucket and fetched some water for her.

Liu Duo went to get a change of undergarments while Ye Liu entered the kitchen.

"Mo, is there enough hot water?" Ye Liu grinned at him. Naturally, Ye Mo understood the reference.

He eyed his brother, "Sure there is, but did she agree to take a bath with you?"

Ye Ling, who was busy fiddling with the flour, heard that. His cheeks reddened as he paid attention to his two brothers, thinking, Liu wants to take a bath with Duo Er?

He was making the noodles for breakfast tomorrow, so he was currently getting the flour ready to savor its chewy texture.

Ye Liu snickered, "Of course she didn't, but I'm fine with it and that's all that matters! Mo, get more hot water for me, can you?"

Geez...

Ye Mo hummed softly for himself to here. He would like to see to the end how Liu's great idea turned out.

Next, Ye Liu returned upstairs to get his undergarments too, humming a joyful tune as though Liu Duo had really agreed to bathe with him!

Liu Duo arrived downstairs with her change of clothes in tow and made her way to the bathroom. Ye Mo had prepared the hot water in the tub and left the oil lamp on higher ground. It was not especially bright, but at least it wasn't total darkness.

Liu Duo rustled out of her clothes. She had barely entered the tub when she let out a loud scream. "Ah! Liuzi, you shameless pervert! Who said you could come in here?"

The scoundrel was hiding in the tub! Why didn't the idiot just die already? He gave her such a fright!

Ye Mo heard her scream from where he stood in the kitchen. He walked to the entrance, waiting for disaster to unfold, anticipating the moment of his brother being chased out of the bathroom!

Ye Ling's cheeks flushed unknowingly as he continued kneading the flour.

In a room on the first floor, Ye Yang sat sorting out the rice with a lit oil lamp. He stopped his actions, knowing very well one of his brothers was teasing Liu Duo again.

It had to be either Ye Liu or Ye Mo. There was nothing more to it!

Ye Liu emerged from the water and calmly wiped away the droplets on his face. Still teasing, he said, "Little Duo, it looks like you aren't telling the truth. You must be very eager to take a bath with me. Look at how excited you are to see me!"

Liu Duo was so mad at him she turned purple with rage. She had run out of words to describe just how complacent he had become!

She took in a deep breath and ordered through gritted teeth, "Liuzi, get out!"